Flag Day Knitter

Monday, July 31, 2006

A little progress and purchases

Yes, I am to the cuff on mom's sock #1. I will finish it today and then I can use it as a ref to make sock #2 during the week. I am still enamored of the Babes and went felt shopping (for eyes and mouths) on Sunday. I also ordered 10 skeins of Palette to make Babes and clothes. I have to wait 5-14 days though......I was not going to pay $10 for 3 day shipping. I will work on my friend's doll until then. The boy and I went to see the Miami Vice movie on Sat. It was Ok, I wasn't a big TV show fan. Do you see the Noro? Well um, yeah, I ordered enough to make 2 booga bags. WOO HOO! I also bought a pattern for a top and the fabric for it. The whole project will cost $6.31. A bargain! So I have quite a bit on my plate. A first for me, but I like the variety.

Friday, July 28, 2006

WIPs

I don't know what's gotten into me. I am ususally a one project knitter. But look, I have 1,2,3 started. The blue is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece that I am swatching for a child's sweater. Can you call a swatch a started project? If so then 4 are started. Yikes! And what is that in the bottom right hand corner? Have you seen this book? Have you been to the KAL? Warning - don't click link unless you have about an hour or 2 to just look in awe and smile. must see all archives. I came accross the KAL a few days ago and immediately requested the book from my library. I LOVE my library. They had 5 in the system and transfered one to me in 3 days. It was new, never opened. I always feel so special when I am the first to open a library book. Here is another warning - once you open this book you will magically cast-on for a Babe and be sucked into the vortex. I didn't mind :-)All I had for the body color was a stark white, not my first choice but this is a prototype practice Babe. If she works out the Babe will go to a friend - she has a plan for her. TGIF to all those reading this at work, have a great weekend, and heed my warnings.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Pics for Tues post.

X = picture of a started Fancy Silk Sock

X = picture of frogged sock

X = picture of a started Child's First Sock

X = picture of started toe up sock

X = picture of mom's knitting, socks in progress

Not much has changed, I have added another 8 row pattern repeat to the toe ups. Mom is due back for a visit this weekend. She has the tiniest feet (no really, really small!) and I don't want to get too far and end up ripping back. I may work a few rows on the Child's first sock today.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

blogger bites

good post mentioned earlier.Good morning, get your coffee, tea, or in my case a pop and sit back for a story. It all began Friday in the library when I found Knitting Vintage Socks, Nancy Bush on the new shelf. I snagged it and went to check it out. Mom takes the book out of the librarian's hands and says "ohh, where did you find this? I have to look at this. I may change my sock that you are making for me" Well not if you don't let me check it out. Mom picked out a pattern and she already had the yarn so I began.

X = picture of a started Fancy Silk Sock should be here

Well she didn't like it. So I frogged that.

X = picture of frogged sock should be here

she picks a different pattern and I start again.

X = picture of a started Child's First Sock should be here

Uh, she didn't like that either. Soooooo, we try a different yarn and she picks yet again a different pattern and I start AGAIN. This time from my Sensational Knitted Socks book. But it is toe up. Have I mentioned my dislike for a toe up sock? Well not so much the toe - but the heel. But it's for mom.....

X = picture of started toe up sock should be here

And it's not that she can't make her own damn socks, she is on pair #5.

X = picture of mom's knitting socks in progress should be here.

I am sure this drama will continue, you see she hasn't yet approved of the toe up version. All is not lost because the second version is a nice pattern and will fit my foot and I am considering continuing for myself. That is if I ever want to knit another sock after this adventure.

Friday, July 21, 2006

I'm a bag lady

It is official - I am bag crazy. Well I had to make at least 2 more. Betty Boop is for SIL and Elivs is for mom. Both are a surprise, but I think I am safe for today. SIL is working and mom is at a conference until 4 then she is driving straight here for the weekend. SIL is learning to knit socks on 2 circs and I am hoping this will keep her going through her troubles. Mom gets it for helping with the garage sale. Which one is mine? None, that's what my KSKS buddy is for! I am waiting patiently.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Knit Sock Kit Swap kit is done and gone!

What? You thought you would get to see the goodies before the kittee? Nope. You will just have to wait the 2 days until my KSKS buddy gets her package. Is it you? Hmm, OK here is a hint. It is going East. : -p

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

What to do

What should I knit now that my socks are done and I can't start the socks for mom until she brings the book back. (BTW mom, your copy should be here by Sat :-D ) I know, how about another pink scarf for the Think Pink Challenge (link in my sidebar). So that is what I did. I finished this in about 2 hours while listening to crap TV last night. I found the pattern here, yarn was in the stash. Rowan All Seasons Cotton, Soul #202. I will send it off today. If you are interested in making a scarf there is plenty of time, check out the site. Also, I had great response to the question "which bag to choose?", thanks! I will make my KSKS buddy's bag today and get it off to her ASAP.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Random Bits

I had a garage sale and made $120. Can you say yarn shopping? Plus I actually cleaned out the garage! It looks great.

I finally (I've been looking all summer) found a birdbath in my budget. Now the birdies can have a snack and take a swim while driving the dog crazy.

I finished my Broadripple socks. Pattern from Knitty.com, Leftover Trekking XXL(mom's, no color number), 2 circs - Addi #2. Next time I will change the cuff and the toe and maybe see what they look like in a solid.

I made bag #3! I used the same pattern as the piggies but made it longer. I like this size. I also made a green (used up all the fabric with the bigger size) accessory pouch, but I need a closure to finish it.

Soooo I am down to the fabric I have designated for my KSKS buddy. Which style should it be? Please comment and let me know what you think. Today is bill paying, grocery shopping, and nephew letter writing. And yes, start a new sock!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

I can see clearly now.....

I had window washers over this morning. It is my first time doing this. This is my first 2-story house and I was NOT going up there to wash windows. It is well worth the price for what they do, but I hate having people in my house. Hate it. I am wierd that way. Not all people, not friends, family, invited guests. (yes I invited the window washers over by making an appointment - you know what I mean) I could never have a cleaning service, or lawn service - yikes I am getting the shakes just thinking about it. Look what the window washers found. Way up there, under the tallest eve, right next to my bedroom window, just over the sliding glass doors to the back patio.......a hornets nest. A nest (full of hornets) the size of football. We had a problem with bees/wasps/hornets earlier this spring and the boy and I attacked several small honeycombs with spray and the hose for the tall ones. I guess we missed one. Hmm, now I have to call a pest control service.....ugh - more "people" at my house.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Big Money

Big money was spent on Monday. With my IRS refund I had planned to get new tires for the 2002 car. It is about time, about mileage, and about a sense of security while driving the wet curvy roads. What I didn't plan was the CPU frying out and needing to be replaced. The replacement vs. new decision was made knowing that I have a laptop of my own and the boy will be getting a laptop for HS graduation in 2 years. So even though it was big $$ for me, it was the cheapest choice. The boy has recovered from 3 days of no computer.....it was touch and go there for awhile. p.s. aren't my new tires purty? Knitting news - turned the heel on sock #2.

Monday, July 10, 2006

bag #2

I made the 2nd bag this weekend. A different style. It has a good weight and stands on its own even when empty. I also finished a Broadripple sock - and started sock #2. Too hot to model wool socks. It was in the 80's yesterday. Lots of $$ spent today - more on that tomorrow.

Also you see Barbie sporting my first attempt at super small knits. If you don't like fiddly seaming (this is made in 4 tiny pcs) then this is NOT the sweater for you. I will try another one from the Barbie Knits book before returning it to the library. I had such plans.....but I will not knit to give myself grief. Still knitting socks with the Tour de France. The boy is now interested.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

recovering

I am slowing recovering from the 4th of July festivities. Fireworks = otherwise known as torment all the animals in the neighborhood. My poor puppy has spent the last 2 days trying (in vain) to find a "safe" place. Mostly she is in my closet. The boy and I went to the town fireworks display on Monday night (3rd) and the neighborhood tried to outdo said display on the night of the 4th. It was quite the show. I just had to step out to the patio to see at least 4 different shows. It is still strange for us because back in IL fireworks are illegal. So only a few broke the rules and not for very long. Last night I had sparkles and noise until after 11:30. As for knits - well the Tour de France keeps me company and look what I made. A MDK log cabin square. This is made with (mom)stash. It is Sugar n' Cream cotton. By now you know my thoughts on cotton. In the background you may see Broadripple socks. I started them in OR at the Black Sheep Gathering. And even though I am not part of the Trek Along, these are made of mom's leftover Trekking XXL and they did trek to OR. I have to return the book today :-( to the library. Must also mail letters to the nephew in basic training. Poor dear left WA (70 degrees) to go to OK (110 degrees).

Monday, July 03, 2006

16 months

Yes, 16 months in my new house. A new house - NEW. Ah well you guessed it, just 4 months past the warranty period and things (just little things) are starting to "pop" up. Well out might be a more acurate word. Nail pops. You know those little round bumps in the wallboard? In a knitting pattern we call these miphaps "design features," so I am adapting a similar aproach with the walls. Sunday morning I opened the window in the dining alcove and heard a noise-not a good noise, then later last night the boy calls down the stairs to inform me "mom, the computer is broke. The keyboard doesn't work and the mouse is shot." La-la-la, I just turn on OLN and watch the tour and knit. Have a happy and safe 4th! I am having family over for the American favorite lasagna!